Ryan's Orphans PTO (id:#57822)

Heat of Battle (Blood Reef Tarawa ID: BR 5)   [next]   [previous]

(Revision: MMP: HASL 5 - Blood Reef: Tarawa BRT3)

Green Beach, Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Islands 1943-11-21 (6 others)

Overview:

D-Day for the 3rd Battalion 2nd Marines called for K[ing] and I[tem] companies to land in the initial assault wave followed by L[ove] company under major Michael P. Ryan on LCV(P)s in the second wave. K and I companies made it to shore with acceptable losses in LVTs and passengers. But now on the beach, they were pinned down by enfilading fire from the re-entrant beach, and casualties were mounting L company, like all of the second waves, suddenly found themselves wading across the exposed reef toward the beach where prospects did not look much better. Ryan finally got to shore having lost 35% of his company. On shore Ryan found himself in charge of not only L company, but all of what remained of 3/2 and forces from 2/2 and 1/2 who had diverted from Red Beach Two. With no radio contact to the Regiment Ryan took charge and started to gain ground with his unlikely Battalion.

Defender: Japanese (2nd Company, 7th Special Naval Landing Force and 3rd Special Base Force)  

Errata (source)